New Jersey only requires 800 signatures for a minor party or independent presidential candidate to get on the November ballot. It has long been considered one of the nation’s easiest states for presidential ballot access.

However, there is a hidden barrier. The New Jersey elections webpage says, “Each of the 14 candidates for the office of Elector for President and Vice President must meet the following qualifications: (1) shall have attained the age of 25 years by the date of the swearing into office; (2) a United States citizen for seven years by the day of the swearing into office; (3) a resident of New Jersey by the day of the election. Those requirements are not hidden and are not restrictive.

When the Prohibition Party turned in its petition and its slate of electors on December 21, it was told that the state must have proof that each elector meets the state’s requirements. Elector candidates need not be registered voters, they merely must be eligible to register. However, if a candidate for presidential elector isn’t in the state’s list of registered voters, the department wants proof that each elector is at least 25, has been a citizen for seven years, and is not in prison or on parole for a felony. Because most of the electors weren’t in the state voter database, the state asked to see a copy of each elector’s drivers license. The individual turning in the petitions and the list of electors did not realize the state would require such documents, so the filing is in abeyance while these documents are gathered together.

On December 23, the Michigan Secretary of State’s office determined that Rocky De La Fuente has enough valid signatures to be on the Michigan Democratic presidential primary ballot. He needed 12,823 signatures. He submitted 20,166, and 16,470 were valid. The other candidates on Michigan’s presidential primary ballots did not need to submit petitions, because the Secretary of State put them on the ballot automatically because they are mentioned in news media. Thanks to John Anthony LaPietra for this news.

De La Fuente has probably collected more signatures on presidential primary petitions this year, around the nation, than any other candidate.

On December 22, incoming Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin retracted an executive order issued November 24 by his prededessor, Steve Beshear. The order eased the ability of most ex-felons to register to vote. See this story. Bevin is a Republican and Beshear is a Democrat. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.